Microsoft Seeks 64-Bit Database Testers

Microsoft

On Monday, Microsoft posted a call for beta testers for a test to begin in September. Early Liberty code is already in the hands of a select group of hardware OEMs, software vendors and corporate developers (See Related Story)

Testers must have 64-bit hardware running Windows .Net server Beta 3, according to a posting on the Microsoft Web site.

Liberty is a milestone for Microsoft, which wants to remove any doubt that SQL Server on Wintel servers can compete head-on with Oracle and DB2 on Unix/RISC machines in enterprise accounts, observers said.

The database aims to overcome the current 32-bit memory limitation and targets decision support and data mining applications, where I/O delays can harm performance.

Earlier this year, Microsoft executives said they expect the database to ship 45 to 60 days after Windows.Net becomes available. The company expects that new operating system to ship late this year.